Thread tensioning device



June 25, 1935. F. B. JAVERY ET AL 2,005,975

THREAD TENSIONING DEVICE Filed July 24, 1935 2 Slfeets-Sheet 1 June 25, 1935. F. B. JAVERY ET AL THREAD TENSIONING DEVICE Filed July 24, 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fimmZZr-s: f fi/ZK E fire/y 97.6. firmon 1,

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Patented June 25, 1935 UNITED STATE THREAD TENSIONING DEVICE Frank B. Javery, Worcester, and Armon J.

Javery, Oxford, Mass., assignors to Warp Compressing Machine Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application July 24, 1933, Serial Nb. 681,856 4 Claims. ((31. 242- 154.)

The present invention relates to a thread tensioning device for use in connection with winding machines, and has for its object to provide a device that is adapted to maintain a uniform tension A further object of the invention is to provide a tensioning device which will be extremely sensitive tovariations in the pull on the thread, and which will automatically relieve the tension normally maintained on the thread upon the occurrence of any abnormal condition tending to increase the pull on the thread. The above and other advantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a thread tensioning device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view in front elevation, showing the device in its normal thread tensioningposition.

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing the tensioning members in position forrelieving the tension in response to an increase in the pull on the thread.

Figs. 5 and 6 are views in front elevation'and plan respectively, of a modified form of the device.

Figs. 7 and 8 are fragmentary views illustrating parts of the device of Fig. 5.

Like reference characters refer to like parts in the different figures.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the device of the present invention is adapted to apply a substantially uniform tension to a thread passing from a pack age I to any suitable winding apparatus, not

4 .shown, the tensioning device being particularly suitable for use in connection with a creel. The tensioning device is sh'ownmounted on a horizontal support 2, with a vertical portion 3 carrying a thread guide 4, with a second thread guide 5 positioned at the front of the support 2 to direct the thread to a suitable winding apparatus after passing through the tensioning device, see Figs. 2 and 3.

' The tensioning device consists of a bracket 6 mounted on the support 2, the ends of the bracket 6 carrying a pin I on which are pivotally mounted two sets of tension members 8 and 9. The tension members 8 of one set extend in spaced relation from the pivot pin 1, with their free ends bent downwardly at 8a so as to rest on the support 2. The general level of the several members 8 between pivot pin 1 and their end portions 8a is slightly above the opening in the thread guide 4,

' 7 As best shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the tension =readily accomplished by placing the thread between the intersecting ends and drawing it'into alinement with the thread guide 4. Upon' the as shown in Fig. 3. The other set of tension mem- -9, they normally extend in substantially parallel relation above and below the plane of the thread guide 4.

members 8 and ii are alternately arranged on the pivot pin 1 so that their oppositely bent end portions 80, and 9a intersect each other, as viewed in elevation, the threading of the device being thread being released following the threading operation, the tension members! all tend to resume the position shown in Fig. 3, from which it is evident that normally the thread follows a sinuous path between the alternately spaced members 8 and 9 in passing from the thread guide 4 to the thread guide 5. i As the thread is drawn to the winding apparatus through the tensioning device, it is subjected to a retardation, or drag, as it passes over and under the tension members 8 and 9,'thereby maintaining the proper tension on the thread for winding. This condition is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3, and generally speaking, is maintained so long as the thread passesfreely through the thread guide 4 from the package I. If, however, for any reason the thread does not unwind freely from the package I, or is subjected to any other retarding effect in its passage to thetensioning device through the guide 4, the increased draft on the thread will be automatically relieved before it becomes so great as to break the thread. 4 Owing to the fact that each tension member 9 is freely mounted on the pivot pin 1 independently of all the other members 8 and 9, any appreciable increase of thedraft'on the thread will quickly result in moving one or more of the members 9 upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4, thereby relieving the tension on the thread by providing a more direct path for the same as it passes between the thread guides 4 and 5. Ohviously, the upward movement of any one or more of the tension membersll in response to an increase in the draft on the thread may be only momentary, the members 9 returning to their normal position of Fig. 3 as soon as the outside order to prevent the tension members 9 being thrown upwardly too far, in response to a very sudden increase in the draft on the thread, a stop I0 is provided to limit upward movement of the members 9 beyond the position of the uppermost member 9 shown in Fig. 4; in this position, this member 9 is above the level of the thread guide 4.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 8 inclusive, there is shown a modified form of tensioning device, in which the tension exerting members are extremely sensitive to changes in the draft on the thread, by reason of the fact that certain of these members are more readily lifted to relieve the pull on the thread than arethe others. In Fig. 5 the tension members II are pivotally mounted on a shaft I2, and are formed in substantially the same manner as are the tension members 8, with their free ends bent downwardly at I la so as to rest on the bracket I3. Alternately mounted on the shaft I 2 between the tension members II are two sets of cooperating tension'. members It and I5 respectively, these members being shown as removed from the shaft I2 in Figs. 7 and 8.

The tension members I4 are each constructed ain substantially the same manner as are the members' 9, shown in Fig. 3, with their free .ends :bent upwardly at Ida and resting on the bracket I3. The other members I5 extend downwardly .from the level of the shaft I2 at a steeper angle than do the members M, with their free ends bent. upwardly at I5a and resting on the bracket II! at a greater distance from the shaft I2 than .do the portions Ma. As a result of the different inclinations of the members I4 and I5, it is clearly evident from Fig. 5 that the thread in :passingaround adjacent members II and It has considerably farther to go than in passing around adjacent members II and I5; as a consequence of which the members IE will be lifted to the level of the members I I in response to a lighter pull.

Furthermorain order to render the members I 5 even more sensitive to changes in the pull on the thread, one or more of the members I5 is counterbalanced with reference to its pivotal axis. One way of accomplishing such counterbalancingis by providing the members I5 with integral extensions IS on the side of the pivot shaft op- .posite to the thread engaging portions of the members. As clearly shown in Fig. 6, the ten-- -sion member I5 nearest the thread receiving .guide I? is counterbalanced to a greater extent than are the members l5 farther removed from the guide I'I, so that a very slight increase in the pullon the thread will result in the tension members I5 nearest'the guide 'I'I being lifted. Although the tension on the thread increases as it is drawn through the device, the weights of the counterbalances on the successive members I5 preferably decrease at a greater rate than the increase in thread tension, and thus, during the normal operation of the device, the members I5 nearest the guide I! will exhibit a tendency to move up and down more or less continuously in response to slight variations in the draft on the thread. "On the other hand, the tension members I4 nearest the delivery guide It will be lifted only in response to a sudden and relatively large increase in the draft on the thread such as would :be caused by a snarl or catching of the thread 'onrthe package I from whichit is being with- ;drawn. The net result of the differential operation :of the members I4 and I5 in response to :varyingmulls ongthe .thread,,is the maintenance of a substantially uniform tension on the thread as it leaves the delivery guide I8 for winding on a creel or any other disposition thereof.

In certain cases the weights of the counterbalances on successive members I5 may not decrease at as great a rate as the increase in tension on the thread as it passes each successive member. In this event, the counterbalances render the device extremely sensitive since the members it, when counterbalanced, respond to very slight variations in tension on the thread,

the counterbalancing obviously being greatest where the tension is least.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the receiving guide I! is preferably formed of bent wire with an eye portion located. considerably above the level of the tension members i I, It and I5, so that the thread passes downwardly at a steep angle to the first tension member .55. As a result of the disposition of the guide I! at this level, the effect of ballooning of the thread as it is unwound from the package i is not transmitted to-that portion oi the thread extending between the tension members, as might be the case with the receiving guide located between the tension members, as shown in 3. It is also to be noted that a portion it of the wire from which theguide I'I is bent extends parallel to the shaft I2 and adjacent thereto so as to serve as a stop for limiting upward movement of the members it and I5.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that by the pro: nt invention we have provided a thread noning device that normally maintains a uniform tension in the thread for proper winding, the device being extremely sensitive to variations in the pull on the thread so as to automatically relieve the tension upon the occurrence of any set.

2. A yarn tension device comprising two sets of tension members alternately arranged with each of the members of one of said sets being separately pivotally mounted for individual movement toward and away from the members of the other set, and means to limit the movement of said movable members in one direction of movement.

3. A yarn tension device comprising two sets of tension members alternately arranged, each of the members of one of said sets being separately pivotally mounted for individual movement toward and away'from the members of the other set, said pivotally mounted members being normally maintained in maximum thread tensioning position by the weight of said members, and means to counterbalance to varying degrees the weight .tensioning position.

FRANK B. J AVERY. -APIMON.J. JAVERY. 

